We'd like your feedback
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Prof
Adam
Watts
-
Adam.C.Watts@wwl.nhs.uk
Mrs
Elizabeth
Cook
+44 (0)1904 321522
liz.cook@york.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Olecranon fracture
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
Fractures (a break in the bone) of the olecranon (bony point of the elbow) are common and usually happen after a fall onto the elbow. The risk of having this fracture increases as we get older. If a patient is well enough they usually have surgery to fix the fracture as a day case. Commonly the bone is held using tension band wiring technique, a metal wire bent around the bone and two smooth pins. This is effective in holding the position for the fracture to heal. However, the wires can cause pain because they lie just under the skin. One in three patients will have a second operation to remove the wires, exposing them to further surgical risks and resulting in increased costs to the National Health Service. Another way to hold the bone is to use a strong material cord (tension suture fixation). Some small studies looking at this technique have shown that this can reliably hold the bones in a good position while they heal and that the patient does not experience any discomfort from the prominence of the suture material. One small study found the need for further surgery was reduced to less than one in twenty. This is better for the patients and could save the NHS about 4 million pounds a year but a larger study is needed to confirm this finding. This study aims to compare two methods of surgical treatment for adult patients with olecranon fractures to find out which has a better patient outcome in terms of return to function.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
2023 Protocol article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36641631/ (added 24/01/2023)
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
1. Surgery contra-indicated2. Gustillo and Anderson grade 2 or 3 open injury3. Associated upper limb injuries or prior upper limb pathology adversely affecting function4. Evidence of fracture comminution (Mayo Grade IIB) or instability around the elbow and/or forearm (Mayo Grade III)5. Evidence that the patient would be unable to adhere to trial procedures or complete questionnaires6. Previous entry into SOFFT7. Concurrent olecranon fracture in the opposite limb
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Prof
Adam
Watts
-
Adam.C.Watts@wwl.nhs.uk
Mrs
Elizabeth
Cook
+44 (0)1904 321522
liz.cook@york.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC); Grant Codes: 127739.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Or CPMS 45217
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
